No tigers found during patrolling, nothing to panic: Nandankanan staff

Bhubaneswar: The tiger and its cubs which are suspected to be moving in Nandankanan sanctuary area may have left for Chandaka forest last night as there is no pugmark found on the zoo premises during the Monday night patrolling, Nandankanan sources said.

“We had found the pugmarks in the sanctuary area yesterday following which we intensified patrolling. No animal or pugmarks have been sighted during last night’s patrolling. The animals may have moved to some other place by the night as they usually don’t come out during day time”, Nandankanan deputy director CR Mishra said.

However, there is nothing to panic as the pugmarks were spotted near Lion and Bear safari where visitors have no access, zoo authorities said. The night patrolling has been intensified even as the staff failed to locate the wild cats.

The zoo authorities found the pugmarks of tigers on Monday at Nandankanan sanctuary. They suspected the movement of the same tigress and her cub reportedly traced in Chandaka forest last month. Soon after discovering the pugmarks, the zoo authorities swung into action to arrest animals but in vain. The zoo staff first ensured the animals do not belong to zoo inmates and issued no alert to visitors.